A THIEF, caught red-handed by officers just one hour after stealing a car, has been jailed within 24-hours of being arrested.

Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court heard that Essex Police were contacted at 4.30am on Friday 20 February following reports that a BWV 3 Series from outside a home in Harlow.

CCTV showed two men walking around the vehicle with a key scanner, before stealing it and making off.

The car was tracked by Essex Police to Hertfordshire, where officers from Hertfordshire stopped the vehicle and found Lukas Rockinas driving.

The 25-year-old was detained while the vehicle was searched and officers found a key scanner, screwdriver, hacksaw, gloves and a swiss army knife, all believed to have been used in the theft of the car.

The court also heard that Rockinas had thrown or removed several of the victim’s belongings from the car including a gold chain, a phone and a pushchair.

Rockinas, of no fixed abode, was charged with theft of a motor vehicle, going equipped for theft, theft from a motor vehicle and driving without insurance.

He was remanded to appear at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court today, Saturday 21 February, where he admitted all of the charges and was jailed for 24-weeks.

Sgt Luke Edmonds of the Harlow Local Policing Team said: “This really was a case of swift justice – within the space of 24-hours Rockinas was arrested, charged, pleaded guilty and was jailed and we were able to return the car back to the victim.

“With all the items found on Rockinas, it was clear he had set out to steal a car and fortunately with the victim’s quick actions in reporting the crime to Essex Police, we were able to stop this thief in his tracks.

“Selfish thieves like Rockinas forget that people rely on their cars for their jobs, families, loved one, livelihoods, it is devastating when vehicles are stolen. He now has time to ponder his actions from behind bars.

“I would like to thank Investigating Officer PC Anthony Thomas of the Harlow Local Policing team who worked hard to secure justice and of course our colleagues in Hertfordshire Police who stopped Rockinas when he travelled into their county – criminals need to remember, borders don’t stop officers from catching them.”